Part Fifteen
'I'm not a monster…I…I don't want to live this life forever…please…I don't…I can't bare being a killer anymore…please…please…I don't want to be a Takatori!'
"Omi-kun…ne…daijobu?"
Blinking hard to overcome the not-there images whirling in front of him, Omi's large blue eyes focus in on pale skin, soft brown hair, and perfectly calm, steel-grey irises.
He has been sitting on his bed, knees pulled tight to his chest, and is quite certain the door had been closed--but not locked. He internally chastises himself for forgetting that part. Now--though the blonde is in no shape to face questions or comfort--dear, sweet, quiet Nagi is standing right in front of him, looking down at him in concern.
Omi musters up a very forced smile. "Nagi-kun! Okay? Of course I'm okay. I was just…thinking. You know, about…the mission tonight." he covers, trying to sound congenial. "A whole castle? I bet it will be difficult, don't you think?"
Nagi frowns. He has known Omi for a long time now, their digital liaisons having gone on for months under their teammates' noses, and though this contact happened with them almost never seeing eye to eye, Nagi easily recognizes Omi's mask for what it is. "Omi…please don't lie to me. Your friends have been very kind and understanding, but…you are all I have here, and…I don't think I could stand not hearing the truth from you. Please…tell me what is wrong."
For all his current stubbornness, Omi has never been very good at lying, and he crumbles under Nagi's request. "I'm sorry, Nagi-kun. I don't mean to lie. I…I just…" his voice hitches slightly, tears that had been faithfully waiting to full since early morning now stinging almost painfully at the corners of his eyes. He hugs his knees tightly, unable to look at Nagi as the smaller boy sits down next to him on the bed. "Please don't tell the others, but…this mission…it…it…scares me…so much." Omi admits with much difficulty. "I don't know why. I have no allegiance to the Takatori family. It makes no differences to me if we are going to this…castle…to…kill my…my…" Tears spring forth finally, slipping down cheeks that have become red in trying to keep them at bay.
"Your…grandfather, ne?" Nagi supplies, sitting straight and seemingly composed, but feeling very much the opposite.
Omi nods, sniffling. "I don't even know him. It shouldn't matter."
"But…he is family. That can't be easy no matter what the circumstances are." the small brunette says with thoughtful care. "I…I don't really understand because…the only family I have ever really known is Schwartz. But…but I know it can't be as simple as following orders. I mean…blood is still blood."
Turning gratefully to his companion, knowing that speaking of such things is not any easier on Nagi than it is on himself, Omi smiles gently. Indeed it is a soft, subtle expression, but at least this time it is honest. "Arigato, Nagi-kun. I guess…I just needed someone to listen and…and…say they understand…even if they can't completely. I kept thinking…Shio-kun would…come, but…he…I…I guess he doesn't realize how hard this is for me…"
"Maybe you should go talk to him."
"But…I don't want to seem like I'm against the mission. I understand the importance of what we're doing."
"Still, it might help." Nagi presses, wanting so badly to ease his friend's concerns.
Omi's smile twitches larger, though the core of it is still terribly hollow and somber. "Maybe later." he speaks honestly, not very keen about leaving his room at the moment. Suddenly, his eyes sparkle a little differently and he drops his knees down, sitting on the bed as Nagi is. "Mou…Nagi…will you…will you…kiss me?"
Taken slightly aback at the suddenness of the blonde's request, Nagi pales. "You…you want me to…are you…sure?"
"Please. Please kiss me." Omi pleads again, scooting closer to Nagi on the bed as if in great urgency.
"A-Alright…"
And soft, inexperienced lips meet another's, Nagi only intending to kiss as they had that time so many days past, since they have not had another moment of intimacy since that first, chaste encounter.
Omi, however, is intending to search out something deeper.
Nagi nearly squeaks at the feel of his friend's wet tongue forcing its way past his lips, meeting the sensation with his own tongue in great hesitation as a nervous, trembling heat begins to stir low in his belly. The kiss is intense, more intense than he wanted. It is not hard for him to understand why Omi is pressing for more, nor why the boy wants such a thing so suddenly. But the reason stings.
Despite knowing it will hurt his companion for him to do so, Nagi resignedly pushes Omi away, their tongues torn apart with a small bit of saliva left to dangle lewdly from Omi's lips. Thankfully, the blonde quickly moves to wipe it away.
"Omi-kun…please don't use me this way." Nagi states firmly, though there is a searching in his eyes that begs for understanding. "I know you are confused and want to get your mind off of tonight, but please don't do this. I care for you, I…I don't want to…spoil this."
For the briefest of moments, anger may have flashed across Omi's face, but the truth in Nagi's statements hit him hard. He had not meant his advances in the way Nagi is implying, but he knows that is how they have come off because…that is subconsciously what he had been after.
Escape.
"Nagi…I…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean--"
"I know. It's okay."
"But…but I'd never want you to think I don't--"
"It's okay, Omi, I understand. Really." Nagi smiles—the expression so foreign to him he is still getting used to the feel of it on his lips. "I will happily kiss you whenever you wish, but…I want it to be because you want me to, not because…you want to forget about something else."
The words that come to Omi's mind now all seem flawed and pointless, so he decides to abandon them and merely smiles in reply to his companion's request, nodding a silent promise.
Nagi returns the smile as brightly as is possible for his amateur mouth and lifts a steady hand to cup Omi's face. His blue-grey eyes close and he leans forward, pulling Omi towards him into another kiss. Nagi has already proved to be bold when it comes to Omi and he refuses to be afraid now. He pushes the kiss further this time, brushing his tongue past willingly parted lips to entwine their mouths once more. Only this time…it is built on want and need, not escape.
When at last they break apart, gasping and both nearly laughing at how they had become so lost in trying to cloy one another's tongues out, differed shades of blue open, meet, and glitter at such a wonderful sense of belonging. They belong not only to one another now, but to who they are and who they are with.
It is a first for both of them. An honest first.
"Ken…we need to talk."
At the serious tone of the redhead's deep voice, Ken's head snaps up from the breakfast table, nearly dropping his glass of orange juice to spill over the food on his plate.
Most of the others have already finished eating, but Ken awoke last and is finishing what remains. Having only just finished eating themselves, Youji and Shioshiro are still in the RV's main room and overhear this exchange, both perking their ears to any possible developments.
Ran notices their rapt attention concerning what he would like to be private, but decides to ignore the pair. Out of spite if nothing else.
"Uhhh…I'm okay, Aya. Really." Ken speaks slowly, setting his glass down carefully and holding his hands up as if in defense. Ran is towering over him beside the table and it is making him very uncomfortable. "I don't need another 'pep-talk' okay, so…please don't yell at me."
"This isn't about…" Ran starts, but pauses after a quick glance at Youji, who he knows is not aware of Ken's trouble with liking missions--Ran simply refuses to think of it as 'liking killing' no matter how much Ken claims that is the truth. The redhead chooses his words carefully before finishing what he had been about to say. "This isn't about what we talked about the other day. This is about…us."
While Youji and Shioshiro silently cheer, Ken nearly chokes. "…us?" he squeaks.
"Yes."
"You wanna talk about…us? Like, you-and-me us?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
A sigh. "Ken…"
"I mean…coz that's great!" Ken supplies quickly, not wanting to annoy the redhead any further. "We…should talk. About us."
Surveying the absolutely ridiculous grin on Ken's face, Ran pointedly frowns and waits.
Ken's smile turns nervous and he gulps. Loudly. "Now…?"
Ran rolls his eyes. Before he can speak, however, his sharp eyes catch sight outside the RV window of four determined figures approaching the vehicle. His insides twist, partially from seeing Shion at the head of the pack, partially from the mere thought of interacting with him—let alone all four of the old Weiss members—and…partially in knowing that he must once again make Ken wait.
The look in Ken's eyes makes him honestly regretful that this must be held off again, but he knows they will only be interrupted if he tries to speak with Ken now.
"Not now. Later." Ran states simply, gesturing with a nod at the window, and keeping his eyes on the glass to avoid those perfectly soft brown eyes.
Ken and the eavesdroppers follow his gaze. On cue, Omi and Nagi come from the bedrooms to find their companion's attention so focused on the window, and look as well. The time has come to discuss the night's plans, like it or not, and a very uneasy team is about to be formed.
Considering the impossible feat it would be to fit 10 people in the RV, Weiss, their predecessors, Nagi, and Shioshiro are gathered outside, some sitting in the damp grass, while others stand, and others still lean against the mobile home that is so readily convenient.
The tension surrounding the group is almost tangible.
They have gone over their plan and found it suitable to everyone, though many—Omi and Ken most notably—are not entirely happy with leaving Saijou, their main target, as Shioshiro's responsibility. The brunette is insistent, however. Unmovable, as his redheaded father so often proves to be.
The problem now is waiting until dark, and deciding what should be done in the meantime. There are many expectations. Expectations that need to be addressed.
"Are you going to begin your persuasions, child?" Ayame asks, his voice oddly singsong. His hair is a perfectly styled shag that doesn't quite hit his shoulders, shoulders that are clad in a long, light jacket. His eyes—seen now in the light of day—are indigo, nearly violet, though not so pronounced as a certain father/son pair. "Please do, young Shioshiro-san. It will be our pleasure to listen to you."
The man's patronizing is quite clear, but Shioshiro is reliably unshaken.
Dressed in one of Ran's old button down shirts—something the redhead had tried so hard to underplay when he threw it at him, saying the boys might as well wear it since he no longer does—Shioshiro steps slightly forward and smiles.
"How shall we begin?" he muses. "There are many things I could say. You know and believe I am from the future, since we have presented adequate evidence. Should I begin with your deaths then? Or is that too morbid for early morning?"
The ease with which Shioshiro speaks is meant to taunt and taunt it does, so much so that those who are more apt to become unnerved—ARE.
"Our…deaths?" Azami repeats, the short hair on the back of his neck bristling as if…ironically enough…someone had just stepped over his grave. He too sports a long jacket, his neck covered with a dark scarf, and his hair is slicked back as it was the night before. He has 'classy' written all over him, but spooked he seems suddenly very small, even for the tallest of his companions. "You…you know how we are going to die…?"
"Hmph." Rindou huffs fretfully, brow furrowed. "You're not…afraid to die, are you, Azami?" he asks, as if in jest, though it is clear Shioshiro has upset him as well.
Azami looks to his friend, mildly offended. "Death I do not fear, but knowing…having someone standing in front of me, telling me he can explain the details of our final moments…that…creates a sickness in my stomach I would rather do without."
Shioshiro cannot hold back his smile. "I have some good news for you then." he addresses Azami, his lips turning up into something the smallest but sinister. "Your deaths are already postponed." He pauses, lingering in the silence purely for the torture he knows he is putting at least Azami and Rindou through. "You…" he speaks slowly, "…are in a truce with the very men who will kill you."
The elder Weiss is admirable in their attempts to keep their faces impassive—Ayame actually smirks, Shion chuckles softly, and even the more unnerved pair manages to keep their faces blank. The younger Weiss, however, does indeed look stunned. Ran knew it was preordained for him to kill his mentor, since Shioshiro told him so, but the others did not.
Considering how poorly they faced the older men only last evening, they find the brunette's story hard to swallow, but choke it down regardless since even his most fantastical of tales has already proven true.
"Are we supposed to take your word for it then?" Shion asks at length, arms folded neatly in front of him. "I'm not asking for a detailed description, but if you think death will be enough to sway us to your ideals--"
"Not at all." Shioshiro cuts in. "Death itself is no reason for anything. But the whys along with it, the reasons you fell to the men here with you now…they should have been reasons to keep you alive."
"Such as what?" Ayame demands, his smirk revealing canines almost like a taunting predator. "Perhaps I enjoy my life as it is, and live purely for the joy our missions bring me. What would you say to that?"
Ken tenses noticeably at these words, sitting in the grass near Ran, who is standing beside the RV. Ran cannot help noticing his teammate's anxiety and his gaze is dragged down to stare at the brunette as Ken tries in vain to act unaffected by hearing another person speak his own haunted thoughts.
"When I first joined Weiss, I believed I was wiping out my targets for the cause of justice. Isn't that funny?" Ayame continues, barking out a derisive laugh. "Of course, that belief was quickly obliterated. Soon...I started wanting to kill outside of missions. I had such feelings before joining Weiss, but of course, I didn't do anything about them. After joining Weiss, having license as a murderer, there was no more need for restraint. I finally realized that...I was free."
"Free?" Youji repeats with narrowed emeralds, kicking back at the tire of the RV just behind him. "You think liking this job, liking being a murderer makes you free?"
Ran's eyes remain locked on Ken, watching as the young man grips his knees tighter and tighter, failing so easily at keeping himself together. For a moment, Ran almost wants to tell Youji to shut up, but he sees the futility in such an act. Youji does not know, and the playboy's words are not directed at Ken nor meant to condemn a person who enjoys something he does not WANT to enjoy.
Ayame seems to find Youji's comment humorous, though his companions clearly do not share his sentiments. While Shion and Rindou remain silent and stone-faced, Azami looks almost stricken.
"Am I not being clear enough for you, boy?" Ayame challenges Youji with a stretch of his grin. A few slow steps bring him that much closer to the tall blonde, forcing Youji to unwittingly flinch back. "To fall deeper and deeper through Hell, to try piercing right through the bottom, that is where paradise lies!"
"Heh...heheheheh..."
A few worried faces turn to stare in mute shock at Ken who has begun laughing so darkly. Shioshiro especially is shaken, his smile lost not due to Ayame's oh so expected words, but to his father's eerie chuckling.
"Ken?" Youji addresses the brunette curiously, so far from getting it, he wonders if Ken's laughter is honestly meant as a joke.
Ran's eyes have yet to leave Ken's slumped figure, and as the brunette lifts his head, still laughing, those brown eyes look unusually dark and unfamiliar. "Ayame…I kinda get what you're tryin' to say." he says, with far too much serious thought behind his words. However, the sorrow in his voice even through his apparent mirth brings a small smile back onto Shioshiro's face and Ran no longer feels afraid. "But…if you think you're free…you are dead wrong. If you allow yourself to enjoy killing, to need it to feel alive, then you're a slave to it just as you were a slave to following orders in Weiss."
'That's it, Kento…that's the man I remember…' Shioshiro silently cheers.
"Being a member of Weiss, a murderer, I kind of understand how you became how you are." Youji picks up where Ken left off. "But ya see, I have a certain policy. Women you embrace for their vulnerability, and a man who'd even consider hurting one…a man like that I can only hate."
'One hopefully down…but there is still Yotan.' Shioshiro marks mentally, being the only man present who fully comprehends the fuel behind Youji's words. 'I have to talk to him…'
"I know what you do in your off time, what you do outside of missions…Ayame." Youji continues, refusing to be intimidated now as he takes a few bold steps toward the man who had so recently been stalking toward him. Ayame's smirk has lost most of its power, but still it remains. "There is no freedom in killing for no reason. Listen to Ken, to the kid, to me. Do you really enjoy it, or have you just become a slave to it?"
Fire flashes behind Ayame's violet-tinged eyes and his pretty, feminine face is marred by an angry grimace. He has no words, but he is not one to openly admit defeat, or to admit that the words of these young men sting his heart to the core. He looks about ready to reach for his weapon, wherever it may be hidden on his person.
Shion and Shioshiro seem to simultaneously realize the danger present, both taking mirrored steps forward. They notice one another's movements and share a smile. Shion nods to the younger man, and with a brilliant smile Shioshiro knows he is still holding all of the aces; the greatest of his challenges…seems to like him.
"I never had any intention of convincing you with some sort of intervention, all together, all at once." Shioshiro states to the group, walking enough forward to put himself in the center of their makeshift circle. "I think you men will be more influenced by…more private conversations than by me spouting idealistic nonsense. Why don't we part for now? I believe Oran and Kento have some…pressing matters to speak about, ne? Rindou-san, would you be so kind as to go over your part of the plan with Omiji and Nagi, since the three of you will be working so close? And Yotan…I would like to have a word with you if I could. Otherwise, you gentlemen are more than welcome to use the RV for whatever needs you may have. If you choose to go back to your hotel or visit the town, please be back here by six o'clock. Thank you."
For a moment, the gathered men exchange stunned glances, amazed at how Shioshiro has grabbed the attention of the 'room' and exercised such power. While Shion smiles in very mild admiration of a young man so like and so unlike his former pupil, those who have been asked to move in certain circles do as they have been instructed.
Ran and Ken's eyes meet, an understanding passing through their glances, and soon they are heading towards that not too far off bridge. Rindou then goes with the two youngest of the group inside the RV to stabilize their end of the night's plan. Youji looks with curiosity at Shioshiro but follows the young man anyway, leaving only Ayame, Azami, and Shion, who share a few varied looks before deciding to follow Rindou and the boys inside to perhaps grab a cup of tea from the RV's kitchen.
"What do you need to talk to me for, kiddo?" Youji asks half-heartedly, pulling out his lighter to light the cigarette already placed between his lips.
Youji and Shioshiro have walked a ways away in the opposite direction of the bridge, standing now amidst a small scattering of trees. Youji leans against one of them, mock casual, watching his younger companion with a curious but not entirely happy stare.
The blonde has a pretty good idea what the brunette wants to talk about, and he is not in the mood to indulge the boy.
"I'm sorry things are moving so fast, Yotan." Shioshiro says, smiling with somewhat strained reassurance. "I would have liked to have had a longer talk the other night, or at least to have been able to talk with you again sooner, but our mission prevented it."
"Look, I know you're trying to be helpful and all, but you don't need to do this." Youji says in dismissal, waving his hand to cause a string of lazy smoke to drift in front of him. "Whatever you're thinking, forget it. I don't need your help with this, so just--"
"Do you want to continue strangling your dates…Youji?"
The suddenness and severity of this questions stops Youji cold. His emerald eyes level on the violets across from him, making out something so challenging in that stare, the blonde feels his anger rise up in his throat. "You little prick, what the hell do you know?" he growls, flicking the ashes of his cigarette angrily.
"I know you, Uncle Youji. I know you and your life and your regrets." Shioshiro says evenly, the challenge still present but backed by honestly heartfelt intentions. "I know what your sorrow will bring you to if you allow Asuka to haunt you for much longer."
The breath is completely out of Youji's lungs, and for the first time in years, he finds himself choking on his cigarette. When he has recovered himself, he can only stare back at the boy regarding him so unwaveringly.
The conviction he sees in those eyes frightens him because he knows there is nothing but truth in everything Shioshiro is saying. After all, the youth has lived all of this, or has at least heard first hand—from Youji's own lips, most likely—what will happen as the years pass.
"Fuck…please, kid…tell me I don't…tell me I never…"
"You never kill anyone, Yotan." the boy assures, a sad smile working into his expression. He takes a careful step forward. "You don't kill anyone, but you come pretty close…several times, and…and…had we not changed some of the things we have…a few women would have ended up dead anyway."
Youji shakes his head; he must have heard the boy incorrectly. "What does that mean? Ended up dead anyway? If I didn't kill them then how--"
"Circumstances. What does it matter?"
"It matters!" Youji cries in quick desperation.
"It doesn't." Shioshiro says firmly, too easily writing off every concern Youji is becoming afflicted with. "You can change everything. You can make it so none of it has to happen. Please, Uncle Youji, just listen to me. Asuka isn't--"
"Shut up! Just shut the fuck up!" Youji yells, his cancer stick thrown furiously to the ground as he stalks the last few feet forward to bring him nose to nose with the young brunette. "Don't…don't you talk about her…"
"Youji…"
"No! I can't take this. I can't take…feeling her inside me, and…knowing…knowing I'm just gonna…take out how much I hate myself for…killing her…on…on women who have nothing to do with it. I...I…can't…I'm not…strong enough for this…to hear you…talk about…this…"
And proud Kudo Youji is crying again, as he had two nights before after returning from a night of not quite pleasurable passion.
And again, like that night, Shioshiro bridges the small gap separating them and takes his mentor into his arms. Something buried in the youth's expression reveals the irony he sees in this situation—nurturing a man who once nurtured him—but he does not find it funny or frivolous that he is offering support to someone in need of it.
Youji is uncomfortable in the embrace, feeling so foolish, childish, and unfairly reliant on the arms around him. But he does not pull away as soothing hands stroke his hunched back. He squeezes tighter.
"Please, Uncle Youji…I don't want to make you angry with me." Shioshiro speaks earnestly, his voice a tender whisper. "I know this isn't easy for you to talk about, and I know your stubbornness makes you want to handle everything alone, but…but I can help you. I can't…tell you…something…but…I know that there is something that when revealed to you will help you overcome Asuka's ghost. When that happens, whatever is making you lash out in such a way…will be gone. I promise."
"You sure make a lot of promises, kid…" Youji sniffs lightly, shaking his head as he pulls back and releases a light chuckle. He refuses to be ashamed of his lingering tears, and as he looks back into those violet eyes filled with so much pride rather than sympathy, he knows there would be no point in finding his tears shameful even if he did. "Can't tell me…something, huh?" the blonde repeats with a twitch at the corner of his mouth, pulling back carefully as the young man's arms slip away from him. "I trust you, kid, I do. But…just tell me one thing. Tell me…that whatever this something is…it involves a good woman."
Shioshiro laughs—one not at all pitying—and his toothy, Ken-like grin gives Youji all the answer he needs.
"So…us." Ken says goofily, leaning back against the railing of the bridge.
Ran suppresses the urge to roll his eyes, flicking a glance back at the RV to be sure no one is outside to have a good view of them. He knows Youji and Shioshiro are somewhere beyond the vehicle, but luckily he cannot see them, which hopefully means they can't see him and Ken, either.
"Now, when you use the word us…" Ken pushes onward, his smile still ridiculous and his posture betraying his hopefulness as he twiddles his feet. "…does that mean there's an us to talk about…Aya?"
There is the huff of an increasingly annoyed sigh. "Ken?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up."
The brunette deflates, his face falling into an indignant scowl. He perhaps mumbles out a very mocking 'sorry,' but Ran ignores it. The redhead is determined to get through this, and Ken is not going to keep him from reaching his goal.
What that goal is exactly…Ran isn't entirely sure. But…he is sure as hell going to try and get there.
"Ken…can you just…not interrupt for a while, and please refrain from looking at me like a lost puppy while I'm talking."
Ken's scowl deepens, his arms coming up to cross crossly in front of him.
Ran sighs again. He knows he isn't handling this nearly as delicately as…well…as any of the others would want him to, but he is Fujimiya Ran; he is not a sap. "Ken…" he begins, realizing that he is saying the brunette's name so much one might think he fears forgetting it. "…you've been very patient with me, which I know has not been easy."
The scowl lightens; Ken is listening intently now.
"Complication after complication has arisen and we have not had the chance to discuss the things that have passed between us. Namely, of course--"
"The kiss." Ken supplies, eyes wholly innocent, though his tone betrays his frustration concerning that subject matter.
Ran's brow furrows slightly. "Ken."
"Sorry. Not interrupting."
"Thank you. As I was saying…we have not had the opportunity to discuss…certain things…and I am sorry for that. I know I haven't always been fair with you. I hope you can understand why this isn't easy for me."
Ken opens his mouth to say something, but decides against it this time, choosing instead to offer a simple nod.
Grateful for the brunette's restraint, Ran continues. "I have spoken with Shioshiro several times now. Has he…mentioned anything to you?"
Ken blinks.
"You're allowed to speak." Ran says after an awkward and humorously long pause, his eyes unable to keep from rolling this time.
Ken clears his throat. "Well…he's said…that you're coming around, but…not any specifics. I haven't wanted to push him. Or you. I mean…I know this is crazy. It's been what, a few weeks, and we've had to digest…well…tons of shit, and…plopping a son in our laps doesn't exactly make any of it easier."
"My thoughts exac--"
"And I know I'm the one in love with you at this point, not the other way around, so of course I've been rooting for something to happen, but it doesn't help the situation when you keep sending me all these mixed signals."
Sigh. Here we go. "Ken…"
"And you can say thanks for the patience all you want, but we both know I'm about ready to explode if something concrete doesn't happen soon."
Ken's speech is hurried and rather self-indulgent, since he doesn't seem to realize Ran's frustration or that the redhead is slowly approaching him in an attempt to get Ken's attention.
"That kiss for instance. What the hell was that? We both know you were awake, but by the way you had been acting up to that point, I thought for sure you'd impale me on your sword, no questions asked. I mean…you let me kiss you, God damn it!"
"Ken, will you just--"
"And now you're acting all cool and saying, 'Let's talk about us,'" Ken says in his best try for a deep, Aya-esque voice, which ends up sounding so terribly adorable, Ran nearly laughs aloud as he continues to approach the man--stalking his unknowing prey. "But I know you're just gonna start spewing out crap about how Hiro doesn't mean anything, and all of this crazy, and that you don't even like me, let alone love me, so I should just shut up and--"
Ken's words are stolen right from under him--literally shutting him up--when a pair of soft, pliable lips press against his so unexpectedly that for a moment his heart literally stops beating.
tbc...
A/N: I am so evil! Hahaha! What better way to get Ken to shut up. So much for being more timely, but at least i'm not too late this time. :-)
M-chan: I have ALWAYS taken the Lovers card thing to mean Ran and Ken. :-) Hints are everywhere! As for Ran/Shion there is NOT anything explicitely revealed about them in any way in DP, but...there was always something to me that I wanted to play with. Actually, there seems to be more hinting when it comes to Kikyou, but I didn't want to go there. My email is akanichiyoubi at hotmail (quickedit won't allow me to type it as web address, but you get it). As for Gluhen translations...don't know. I have it in Japanese, but I know its out in the states now. Go ahead and get it, just don't listen to the english or you'll want to shoot yourself. :-)
Grasshopper: Sorry, but I thought Kikyou would complicate things even more, so I decided against writing him. I know he plays a crucial role in the shaping of Ran's psyche in DP, but I'm going with the 'if things change, that won't happen' kick. Hope that's all right, and glad you liked the Shion fun. (maybe I'll mention Kikyou anyway at some point, just for you...) And go you for remembering Hiro's fiance. I bet most have forgotten her (which is what I wanted). She will be mentioned again soon...maybe two three chapters from now, and you'll find out more about her. I'm not sure when I'm going to tell you whose daughter she is, but I will say she is not the daughter of someone random.
carriothien: Yay, you think Hiro is a good OC and you make me blush! And believe me, I know how college can blow.
Everyone, I feel so honored that you love Hiro as I do, and that you are so loyal to this story I have planned for years, but only now have undertaken. I hope it continues to meet what you want. Don't think things are going to come easy just because Ran has taken a little initiative, but things are certainly going to get interesting. Love you, minna, and thank you so many times over, I could never thank you all enough! Cyber cookies to all!
Crim